It’s 20 degrees outside, but we are warm and comfortable, thanks to our radiant floor heating.

16 separate runs of Pex tubing bring heat from the geothermal equipment in the basement to the retail area.  The Pex tubing fits into Warmboard – a subfloor that is specifically designed and engineered for radiant heat.

Having all of this tubing in the floor makes installing the wood floor a precise operation.   We are using Eastern White Pine  from a local mill that was delivered with a moisture content of approximately 10%. In order to minimize movement we reduced the moisture content down to 6% by air drying the boards in a heated environment (see the stack behind Tim and Jimmy).

We are then screwing and plugging each board – making sure each screw hole is perfectly in line and that we don’t drill through the Pex tubing.   6,000 screws and thousands of feet of tubing – potential disaster with every hole!! Careful work!

We are also building the racks and shelves that display the wine. Architect Megan Moynihan and cabinetmaker Stephen Demetrick go over the layout.

Oiled Beams

We are taking advantage of the wide open spaces – no wine racks or display cabinets, to paint the walls and oil the beams.  The beams are vertical grain  Douglas Fir and we are giving them a coat of Danish woodworkers oil to help protect wood.

The candelabra provides light and a soothing atmosphere for  Larry from Somers Painting as he applies the oil to the beams.

Larry from Somers Painting

Christoph Gross, Owner/Manager & Megan Moynihan, Architect

We are working on the outside – landscaping, paving the driveway and laying the permeable paving stones in the parking area. Saturday we laid the  2″ binder course of asphalt and next spring we will come back and lay a top course.

Permeable paving stones allow for water to be absorbed directly into the ground and greatly reduce the need for underground drainage systems or retention ponds.

Establishing the grades, setting the permeable pavers, and laying the asphalt are critical and we are fortunate to work with Morrone Excavation, Grandscapes, and Ed French & Son Paving.  In the picture above Owner/Manager Christoph Gross and Oyster Works’ architect Megan Moynihan check out the progress.

Granite Curbs and Gravel Base

The inside is being painted and soon we’ll be laying the WarmBoard, installing the radiant heat, and laying the floor.   But for now…most of the action is outback.

As part of our eco-friendly design we are installing permeable paving stones for all of the parking areas. This will allow the rain water to drain naturally back into the ground and reduce the need for underground drainage and retention ponds. Permeable pavers are initially more expensive than asphalt, but have a much longer life span and can be less expensive over the life of a building.

Preparation is difficult work – the grades must be perfect, the gravel well compacted, and the granite curbs set to exacting tolerances. We are fortunate to be working with Morrone Excavation and Grandscapes on the site work and landscaping.

Candelabras…In keeping with our blend of tradition, green design, and energy efficiency, we are using computer controlled energy saving LED lighting and candelabras that are made from from oak wine barrel staves.  Take a look!

Sean & Mark of Grandscapes setting the granite curb

Mike Morrone and Brendan Friend setting the grades.

Wine Barrel Candelabras

The drywall is all done –  a tip of the hat to Lockhart Drywall and Plastering – and tomorrow morning we start painting.   Meanwhile we are building the prototypes for the wine racks and display shelving.  Oyster Works’ Peter Hess designed the shelves and is working closely with cabinet maker Stephen Demetrick to refine the design and craft the prototype.

Last Thursday Jon Maldon and Jane Gross came to the shop to check the progress and have Peter and Stephen explain how the system will work.

Outside… Grandscapes is staring to plant.  Check out the native grasses and stone walls! The grasses will grown to be about 4 feet tall and will provide a lovely accent to the front of the building.